The importance of good friends in Islam

Friends define us, their company can make or break us. Choose them wisely.

By Sahlah Bint Nayyar

Chennai, India

Ever heard of the saying a rotten apple spoils the barrel? Well, if one bad person can affect others negatively, why can’t one good person bring goodness to the entire crowd?

Believe me, each one of us wishes to stay with the best of people. But why, then, aren’t we making our goals accordingly? As a teenager, I’ve seen teens wanting to be with the most famous people. It doesn’t matter if they are right or wrong. Many fail to realise having good company is one of the most essential things in life.

Imagine yourself drowning in the middle of an ocean, no one can see you drowning. No matter how loudly you scream, there is no one around. When you fear you are going to die soon, you notice a ship approaching… coming to save you. That ship is your saviour. And that’s what good company is. When you are drowning in an ocean of sins, they act as a lifeguard. They help you get rid of sins. When you are confused or lost, they are a means to guidance, to enlightenment. Having them around boosts your iman and gives you happiness.

And the Prophet ﷺ gives us an exact description of both good and bad company:

‘The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of a seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellow. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.* *Sahih al-Bukhari 2101

Well, what does one benefit from a seller of musk? You get goodness from him and he spreads goodness wherever he goes.That’s the true essence of a good companion. All you get is good – whether in this world or in the akhirah!

As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellow, he himself gets blackened and everything he touches turns black, you go near him and get all dirty. He drives you away from the remembrance of Allah and enjoins bad. Is there any goodness? What do we gain? Nothing but loss.